AGMARDT has paused open, responsive grant rounds for the remainder of the financial year (to end of June 2026) to strengthen our financial position and implement new strategies for both investment and funding.
This is a short-term, strategic pause to maintain and grow the fund.
We acknowledge the funding environment is constrained right now, so the timing of this hiatus will be disappointing for those considering applying for a grant this year. Pausing our open grant rounds was not a decision taken lightly, but is necessary to ensure that we are able to develop and fund a robust innovation and capability pipeline into the future.
Like many organisations, we’re navigating economic volatility and inflationary pressures from the last few years. We are taking a prudent approach to preserve and grow the fund.
AGMARDT’s focus and responsibility is long-term support for the primary sector. We must ensure we are well-positioned to face current and future challenges, so we can continue to support future generations of leaders and innovators. A full investment strategy review is underway. We’re committed to ensuring our investment approach is fit-for-purpose and future-fit.
While this pause occurs, we will continue to support the sector through strategic and proactive initiatives and partnerships, including through our food and fibre direct investments, albeit within a constrained budget in the short-term.
When we resume open grant rounds, expect clearer pathways to support ambitious, collaborative projects and capable leaders. We have refreshed our organisational strategy to integrate insights from recent initiatives and ensure AGMARDT can create maximum impact in a changing world.
AGMARDT has been evolving over the past few years to flexibly support the sector to create transformational change through partnerships, collaboration, capable people and investments, leveraging our financial and non-financial resources. In part, this has meant we’ve gone from a being a 100% responsive, competitive grants funding organisation to a more collaborative and strategic one, to support effective sector outcomes.
While AGMARDT evolves, our goal to create long-term benefits for New Zealand’s economy, environment, and regional resilience has not changed.
Stay connected through our newsletter and LinkedIn for updates on our strategic direction and reopening timeline. Find information about other potential sources of funding here.